We Have Lift Off

By Elle, elle_2637@yahoo.com

Response to WKITT challenge by Andrian sethido@yahoo.com

Must include one of the following:

"Houston, we have a problem."
"The cow jumped over the moon."
"Space, the final frontier."
"What were you expecting, little green men from mars?"

Bonus for using all of the planets.

Rules
They must be trapped for at least 24 hours. However much longer is up to you.
They cannot use magic.
Whether this a simulation ride or a real blast off into outer space is up to you.

A/N: Although it wasn't specified, it seemed to me that it was expected that Hermione was in her 7th year. I'm changing this. She is a professor now. Hope that's ok!

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I don't own any of it, besides the plot, which really I suppose I don't own either because I've probably subconsciously stolen from writers who are better than me. No money is being made and...blahblahblah...you know what I'm saying...

Chapter 1

            'The seventh year Transfiguration class will have some changes in it this year.' Professor Dumbledore announced. It was early August and all the professors had returned to the school to plan their curriculums.  'Professor Granger and I have spoken about this, and she agrees that it will be a wonderful project. They will be designing a space capsule. We need a professor to help with this project occasionally. Any volunteers?' Dumbledore looked around quickly, not really expecting anyone to raise their hands. 'Alright then. Let's see. Minerva, you helped out with that dance last year. March, you were awesome with that little incident Hagrid had...and Tracy helped with the re-shelving of the library, and Sarah helped with that little surprise for the second year charms students. Hmmm, John helped with the banquet over break, and Severus...' Here Dumbledore stopped. He had been going around the table, and only two other professors were left. 'Severus, you really haven't done much...ever. I think you will do a fine job with helping Hermione with the project. Alright, on to the giant squid problem...'

~~~~~

            'Severus, we need to discuss the project.' Hermione stopped him as he tried to make a fast exit.

            'What is it?' The war might have ended, but it didn't mean Snape didn't like to keep to himself and have his privacy. Sure, he wasn't as nasty as he had once been, but he could be occasionally.

            'Will you come to my office after dinner so we can discuss the project? I need to fill you in on how it is going to work.' Hermione had better things to be doing than having to deal with his moodiness, and wanted to get this done as much as he did.

            He simply nodded his head, and walked out the door.

~~~~~

            After dinner Snape made his way to Professor Granger's office. He was dreading having to talk with her about some stupid and boring project. He rapped on her door, and then walked right in. She looked up, surprised, but quickly covered her surprise with her usual business look.

            'Severus, I'm glad you came. Do you remember the year that Justin Fletch Finchley went to space camp in the States over the summer holiday?' Hermione said as she conscientiously adjusted her robes and hair while she spoke.

            'Yes. That was the year Potter left the school. How could I forget?' Snape sneered at her.

            Hermione had simply expected a 'yes' or a 'no.' 'Well...Doumbledore has been looking into the whole concept ever since and this is the year he finally has all of the plans ready. We will be transfiguring magical items into muggle items, and complex muggle items at that. This will be for the seventh years only, and it will be used instead of the normal lessons on transfiguring magical items into non-magical items.'

            Snape simply stared at her, not fully understanding where he came into this whole grand scheme.

            'They will be constructing a space capsule, just a simulator, and they will be not only learning about transfiguring the objects, but any that are taking muggle studies will be staying an extra half hour after their lesson to learn about space, the final frontier as Minerva seems to enjoy calling it, and space travel the muggle way.'

            Snape still really didn't get where he fit in, and was beginning to think he might just walk out of the room and go tell Doumbledore that he wasn't needed and he had better things to be doing than babysitting brats, which was all it seemed he could possible do.

            Hermione paused for a moment after explaining most of the project, expecting him to have a question. He didn't seem to, and she faltered, not knowing what to explain next.

            'Really all we need you to do is to help with the lessons. We will split the class in half, and each group will be doing something different. I will be making the lesson plans, so all you need to do is come up here, and follow them.' Inside she added 'Although I'm sure you'll have to add a little sarcasm and overall snarky-ness to your lessons.'

            Snape still didn't say anything, although he realized it was fruitless now to try to argue that he wasn't needed. Hermione continued after a pause. 'I suppose that's really all you need to know about the project right now, unless you have some questions. I'll send down a more detailed plan of how the lessons will proceed within a few days.'

            'Very well.' Snape finally spoke. 'When will we be starting this project?'

            'Oh! The first day of school of course! It's such a large project that I foresee it taking up the whole year.'

            Snapes scowl became even deeper at this. 'The whole year? I don't think I can possibly-'

            'Oh, the Headmaster already told me that you would be upset about that part of the project, but he says that you need to continue with it because you've never helped out before. I must say I quite agree with him...' Hermione was cut off here by Snape.

            'I expect that overview of the project within the week. Good day.' He stood, and quickly exited the room.

~~~~~

            The first day of school came much sooner than Snape expected. He had received a detailed plan of the project the day after his meeting with Prof. Granger, but it still lay on his desk, and had never been opened. Snape sighed as he stared at it. He was due in the Transfiguration classroom in ten minutes.

            He slowly raised himself out of his chair, and walked out from behind his desk. His office was home to shelve after shelve of creepy looking objects. He kept them in there simply to scare his students when they had a detention.  He stared at a few of them, watching the contents float around while he contemplated the coming forty-five minutes.

            He forced himself to pull his eyes away from the jars, and slowly walked out of the room and up to Miss. Grangers classroom.

~~~~~

            Hermione was watching the clock. He was late. Her class had all arrived, and was now looking up at her silently. They had been first years when she had graduated, so they knew of her talent. This was only her second year teaching. After Hogwarts she had gone to Cambridge University. She had graduated top of her class, and two years early.

            And that brought her to this moment. Waiting for Snape to decide he was ready to help her. As each second passed she became more and more irritated. She had told the students to write down the notes on the board, but that would only take them another minute or so. Hermione decided if Snape wasn't in the room before they were all finished taking the notes, she would publicly humiliate him.

            Lucky for him, he walked in the room only a few moments later. 'Professor Snape. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.' Hermione said as he slowly walked to the front of the room where she was standing.

            'Of course. It is my pleasure.' Snape responded, his voice dripping with sarcasm, but in a quiet tone so that none but its target heard.

            'Please finish writing your notes quickly.' Hermione directed this to the whole class. When they finished she explained the basic outline of the project to them. They seemed to understand, so she began to show them the basic technique for changing a non-magical item into a magical one.

            Brandon Ladinos accidentally blew up the pen he was changing into a sugar quill. Professor Snape, who had been patrolling the classroom, unfortunately for Brandon was covered in soot from the explosion.

            'Detention, seven pm, Mr. Ladinos, do not be late.' Snape hissed at the boy. 'And twenty points from Hufflepuff.'

            'Professor Snape, I believe you have forgotten that this is my class, and the only one who may give out detentions or take away points is I.' Hermione quickly pointed out to Snape. 'Brandon, come over here and get cleaned up.' Hermione said as she pointed to a washing basin.

            Snape was infuriated. I will get revenge with that impertinent little witch! Hermione will pay. He thought to himself, and slowly began to formulate a plan. He didn't seem to notice that for the first time he had referred to her not as Professor Granger, or Miss. Granger, but as Hermione.

            The class ended, and Snape tried to follow the students out the door. 'Professor Snape!' Hermione quickly called before he could completely disappear. 'We need to discuss a few things.'

            He slowly walked into the room, his scowl even deeper than normal.

            'I trust you have read through the outline of this year's course.' Hermione said as he sat down in the chair in front of her desk.

            'You shouldn't trust anything.' He said softly.

            'Really? What do you mean, Professor?' Hermione knew perfectly well that he hadn't read the packet, but wanted to hear him admit it.

            'I have not perused the outline. It did not seem necessary.'

            'Ah. I see. So the fact that when you passed by Mr. Ladinos and were not able to stop him from incorrectly speaking the charm means that you have no need to read over the basic outline of the work we will be doing in class?' Hermione glared right back at him. If he doesn't like hearing this, too bad for him.

            'I perceived Mr. Ladino's mistake, but chose to let him go through with it to teach the boy a lesson.' Snape quickly responded.

            Right... Hermione thought, and had a hard time not rolling her eyes right in front of Snape. 'I will only ask you one more time. If you choose not to, that will be your problem, and no points will be deducted, or detentions given to students who incorrectly perform a charm in this class ever again. Professor Snape, please read the packet.' Hermione saw something twitch in his face, and his expression changed very slightly, although she couldn't read his expression.

            'I will consider your request again. I hope this conversation is over, as I am leaving. Good day to you.' He stood quickly and walked out of the room, nearly slamming the door behind him.

            Hermione leaned back in her chair. He'll drive me insane. I can't put up with all this stress for long. She closed her eyes, and let herself forget about Severus Snape and the Space project for just a few precious moments, enjoying every single one.

~~~~~

A/N: There should only be a few more chapters of this. I don't intend to start another long story, and end up getting writers block! I hope this is good thus far, and the next chapter shouldn't be far behind. Hope you enjoyed it!